Comments on: Choice, Control and Travel

By: Practicing Life: A Contemplation on Anxiety and Appreciation | LunarTravel.net

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:01:08 +0000

[...] right now, life is compelling me to make some hard choices. Or at least what I perceive to be hard choices. I need to make more money. I have to propel my [...]

By: George

George — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:20:33 +0000

Good to see you writing again Tim. I appreciate the idea. Everyday I learn a little more about what frees me to enjoy the ride that is life. While I know that what frees you would reduce me to a quivering mess in 2 days, when one gets to the right place–you’ll know if you keep your senses open–it is intensely liberating to take a look around and say “I like it here, I think I’ll stay awhile”;even if I can’t do it very often.

By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:16:17 +0000

Yup, nothing wrong with taking a tour, but when itineraries are rigid you lose a lot of potential for serendipity and genuine discovery.

Thanks for the comment, Mike!

By: Ryukyu Mike

Ryukyu Mike — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:52:46 +0000

I’ll take the freedom to stay another day, week, month or year, or not over the guided tour. I know there’s some great tour guides out there who are hard-working, educated and honest folks, providing a great service. There are others, though…….

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:56:41 +0000

It’s all about the flow!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:04:19 +0000

Lovely metaphor, Tim!

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:48:41 +0000

I also agree with Phil, but think this is once again a lesson in something I’m always striving for – balance. Sometimes it’s good to have a guide, sometimes it’s good to be on your own. Sometimes, it’s good to travel with others, sometimes solo. I think the analogy of the roundabout can be extended to say that we must remain aware of our needs in the moment. Even if you can’t change a situation right then, you understand that there is a tug for awareness from a different angle.

No formulas other than living in the present!

By: Brett

Brett — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:46:51 +0000

I’ll take burning through a circle in 2nd gear over waiting at a stoplight any day…

Great metaphor, and it looks like you had a great trip.

By: Ahimsa

Ahimsa — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:31:57 +0000

Some roundabouts are flippin’ hard, with branches flying out in all directions like mutant octopi. Which makes me wonder: how does this analogy handle said octopi? Are they like Tolkien’s Watcher in the water at Moria; best left alone? Or do multi-limbed aquatic creatures represent the ultimate off-the-beaten path travel? It matters, you know.

By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:08:43 +0000

Good point, Phil. I agree that a good guide is invaluable. The problem, I think, is when a guide is contracted to deliver an experience that is rigidly defined by a tour operator. When a guide is free to tailor a trip to fit her client’s needs, and adapt to situations on the fly, the overall experience is much better.